Family & Individuals

The American Red Cross urges individuals and families to Be Red Cross Ready. Taking the proper precautions, such as having working smoke alarms on every level of your home, having an evacuation plan in place, and practicing earthquake and fire drills twice a year can drastically affect the impact of an emergency on your family. Be sure to include the entire family, especially children and pets, in the planning process. Remember to take into consideration the specific needs of each person living in your household. It is a good idea to assign a role to each individual, because sharing responsibilities can help avoid chaos and disorder in the midst of an emergency. Preparing for disasters is very serious, but it can also be a fun experience for the entire family!

Tip: To encourage positive involvement, try rewarding your pet with a treat when he or she runs outdoors during the offset of a fire alarm or treating your children to ice cream after a drill.